Clare Harner, in 'The Gypsy.'
I did not guess how KC lawyer Samuel L. Trusty, the eulogist who recited "Clare Harner's beautiful little poem of 'Immortality'" at the funeral service for Benjamin D. Pugh, knew about The Gypsy: all poetry magazine where "Immortality" had appeared in the December 1934 issue. Turns out, Trusty could have copied or clipped it from the local newspaper. The entire poem was reprinted in the Kansas City Times (morning edition of the Kansas City Star) on Friday, February 8, 1935 and attributed, just as in the Kansas City Bar Bulletin more than three years later, to
Clare Harner, in "The Gypsy."
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| Kansas City Times (Kansas City, Missouri) - February 8, 1935 via GenealogyBank |
IMMORTALITY.
Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain,
As you awake with morning's hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry—
I am not there,
I did not die.
—Clare Harner, in "The Gypsy."
[As reprinted in the Kansas City Times on February 8, 1935.]
Clare Harner was my maternal grandmother - she passed away before I was born. This poem was plagiarized time and again after her death, causing no small amount of tragedy in my family. Thank you so much for honoring her legacy by giving her proper credit. Sincerely, Rachel (daughter of Martha, Clare's youngest daughter)
ReplyDeleteHi! I am shocked for hearing this. I have heard this poem “inside” other, in French. The last part is exactly this poem!! Here I let the link to the French poem. I have liked very much. Sad and glad at the same time for knowing who really the author is. Grateful for her words because have gave comfort to the hearts.
DeleteSorry, I forgot to include the link:
Deletehttps://entraide-deuil.qc.ca/priere-indienne/
Rachel, you are very welcome. Thank you for commenting. I also tried to correct some of the misinformation in my article titled "Clare Harner's 'Immortality' (1934)" in the September 2018 issue of Notes & Queries.
ReplyDeleteRachel, finally, after many, many years I learn the name of the author of this beautiful poem! I am so grateful to have this knowledge so that I may attribute these perfect words to your grandmother, henceforth. For over 40 years this poem, “Immortality”, has been dear to me.
ReplyDelete